The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Health

Hospital receives excellence award

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HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital was recognized as a 2024 Patient Safety Excellence Award recipient by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor, according to a news release.

Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates for approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine this year’s top-performing hospitals for patient safety.

The organization revealed that patients treated in hospitals receiving this award have a significantly lower chance of experiencing one of the four leading safety indicators than patients treated at non-recipient hospitals, the release says.

These indicators include:

  • In-hospital fall resulting in fracture (approximately 52% less likely)
  • Collapsed lung due to a procedure or surgery in or around the chest (about 56% less likely)
  • Pressure sores or bed sores acquired in the hospital (about 67% less likely)
  • Catheter-related bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital (about 71% less likely)

“HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital has cultivated an outstanding safety culture that prioritizes the well-being of both patients and staff, setting a high standard for patient safety nationwide,” said Dr. Brad Bowman, chief medical officer and head of data science at Healthgrades, in the release.

Emergency care gets boost with new helicopter

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AdventHealth West Florida Division launched AdventHealth AirStar 1, a cutting-edge medical helicopter, on March 4, according to a news release.

The helicopter is set to redefine the landscape of patient transfers within the Tampa Bay region and will serve all 13 AdventHealth West Florida Division hospitals, the release says.

The state-of-the-art twin-engine Airbus H135 P3H will be stationed at the Lakeland Linder International Airport, strategically positioned to serve AdventHealth West and Central Florida Divisions.

AirStar will be operated by a team of 12 highly trained medical professionals, including registered flight nurses and certified flight paramedics. Dr. Fredrick Yonteck, a board-certified emergency medicine physician, will serve as the medical director of the flight program, and Dr. Michael Longley, chief medical officer of AdvenHealth North Pinellas, will oversee the division’s patient transfer center.

The aircraft, which is essentially a flying Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will be operational 24/7, 365 days a year, equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation and safety features to guarantee the highest standards of medical transport.

AirStar also will be on standby for community 911 responses, providing rapid medical assistance for trauma, stroke and cardiac alert patients across multiple surrounding counties.

Health News 03/27/2024

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(Courtesy of Martin Bahl/St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

Bringing awareness to colorectal cancer
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the endoscopy team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz wore special T-shirts and decorated their area to show support and enthusiasm for life-saving colon and rectal cancer screenings. Blue is the color for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is highly treatable if diagnosed early, and a colonoscopy is one of the tests for cancer diagnosis and screening. St. Joseph’s Hospital-North encourages talking to your doctor about colorectal cancer risk and the right time for a screening. The endoscopy team at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North is shown here in an endoscopy suite where colonoscopies are performed.

New heart technology
Dr. Deepti Bhandare, vice chair in the Department of Cardiology at AdventHealth Sebring, recently helped in the development of Keno AI, a first-in-market medical device used to automatically detect heart murmurs, according to a news release.

Dr. Bhandare, who is also the director of the hospital’s Heart Failure Program, partnered with Keno Health, a Florida-based startup, to run a study to help improve detection of valvular heart disease (when one or more of the valves in the heart do not work properly). 

“Early detection of abnormal heart murmurs, especially prior to the onset of severe symptoms, is a vital component in screening for valvular heart disease,” Dr. Bhandare said in the release.

The doctor and Keno Health developed an innovative medical device called Keno AI. 

(Courtesy of AdventHealth)

“Keno AI allows physicians to automatically detect heart murmurs easily and quickly without impacting their clinical workflow,” Dr. Bhandare said. “Our innovative device is attached to a stethoscope, does not require any phone or app and could enable early intervention and treatment for patients with undiagnosed valvular heart disease.” 

During this feasibility study, cardiologists used the device to validate the heart murmur accuracy of Keno AI. Cardiologists tested more than 175 people of all different ages, genders, races and variations in body mass index (BMI).
The device had a sensitivity of 93%, showing the device has the ability to detect abnormal heart murmurs. The study also revealed that Keno AI has a 96% specificity, which is the ability to confirm patient’s normal heart sounds.

The study and abstract were accepted into the American College of Cardiology (ACC) journal. The teams also presented results at the ACC conference. 

Keno AI is intended to be used by physicians focused on early screening, heart auscultation, and specialized cardiology treatment, including primary care physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, cardiologists and internists.  

Dr. Bhandare and Keno Health support AdventHealth’s mission to provide exceptional, innovative and viable care to patients.  

Keno Health is launching Keno AI in 2024 and is ready to partner with early adopters at AdventHealth who are interested in utilizing the innovative technology.

Health News 03/20/2024

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(Courtesy of West Pasco Sertoma Club Inc.)

Sertoma Club commitment on display
The West Pasco Sertoma Club Inc., announced it is a recipient of the 2023-2024 Sertoma Club Grant, marking the club’s continued commitment to volunteer service, charitable support, and community leadership in the New Port Richey area. Funds from the grant will go to benefit the Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc., in support of hearing needs of the adults of Florida, which include hearing screenings, hearing aids and other hearing-related needs. Harvey Rhinehart, secretary/treasurer, presents the $2,000 grant to Deborah Golinski, president/CEO of Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation of Florida. To learn more about the Sertoma club, email , or visit Facebook.com/darrell.huling/.

Tampa General receives donation
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) received a $65,000 donation from Aetna Better Health of Florida, part of Aetna and the CVS Health family, to support the new TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy, according to a news release.

The community hub, built on the concept that “food is medicine,” will enable patients at the TGH Family Care Center Healthpark greater access to nutritious foods and the opportunity to learn how to grow healthy produce in a sustainable way.

TampaWell, activated by TGH in partnership with the City of Tampa, is a “revolutionary health and wellness initiative focused on preventive health to reduce chronic disease and repeated hospitalizations, while supporting the city’s most at-risk residents by addressing underlying social factors that impact health,” the release says.

(Courtesy of Premier Heart and Vascular Center)

New PET/CT technology
During American Heart Month (February), Premier Heart and Vascular Center announced it is one of the first cardiology practices in the Tampa Bay area to offer PET/CT imaging, according to a news release.

The PET/CT Scanner combines state-of-the-art PET and CT technology, allowing cardiologists to detect conditions such as coronary heart disease and damaged heart muscle earlier, with higher accuracy and efficiency, and with reduced radiation.

PET imaging uses very small amounts of radioactive tracers to detect decreased blood flow through the heart. It also can be used to detect less-common diseases such as cardiac amyloid and cardiac sarcoidosis.

The CT imaging creates high resolution pictures of the heart and its blood vessels.

Combined, the PET/CT scan produces extremely detailed 3D images of the heart and surrounding structures, detecting specific conditions, their location, and causes, the release says. The test can be performed in one 45-minute exam.

“We are proud to bring this cutting-edge technology to improve the care of our patients. This technology allows us to accurately diagnose conditions early and initiate important treatment to improve and save lives,” said Dr. Chetan Khamare, interventional cardiologist and partner at Premier Heart and Vascular Center, in the release.

For more information, visit PremierHeartAndVascular.com.

Crisis Center wins award
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay received the Community Catalyst Award at the State of Uptown event. The award is presented annually by Soaring City in partnership with the University Area CDC (UACDC) and has a focus on organizations emerging in community leadership, inclusion and growth, according to a news release.

The Crisis Center operates TransCare Medical Transportation, which provides 911 basic life support ambulance service, interfacility transports and emergency behavioral health transports. The award recognizes TransCare’s partnership with Ultimate Medical Academy in operating an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) apprenticeship program, the release says.

Through the apprenticeship program, students attend classes at Ultimate Medical Academy while receiving on-the-job training and experience working as a behavioral health attendant at TransCare.

Due to grant funding provided by CareerSource, qualifying students are able to have tuition costs covered.

For more information about the EMT apprenticeship program, visit CrisisCenter.com/transcare-uma/.

How to raise a healthy, active child

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Many factors impact a child or teen’s wellness, including where you live, genetics and other influences. According to experts though, you can encourage a healthy lifestyle for your child, and help prevent obesity and other illnesses that can extend into adulthood.

“Raising a healthy, active child is about much more than nutrition and physical activity,” says Natalie D. Muth, a pediatrician and registered dietician. “It also entails adequate sleep, a positive approach to screen use and social-emotional wellness, and to the best of your ability, helping ensure your surrounding environment supports healthy routines.”

At a time when few children and adolescents meet the recommendations for nutrition and activity, a new clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “The Role of the Pediatrician in the Promotion of Healthy, Active Living,” offers guidance to help optimize a child’s health regardless of their weight, as well as strategies based on the best science that can also help prevent obesity at every stage, from infancy through adolescence.

(c) Sabrina Bracher / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Here are some practical tips from the AAP to use to tackle issues within your control:

  • Learn about good nutrition. Visit MyPlate.gov for great ways to take a team approach to planning and making meals so that kids have an active role in what they eat. The site takes into account cultural traditions, giving examples of healthy meals that include familiar foods.
  • Reach for water. Sugary drinks such as 100% fruit juice, sodas, sports drinks and fruit drinks account for 24% of added sugar intake in the U.S. diet in people 1 year and older. Consumption contributes significantly to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health risks, according to USDA statistics. Ideally, aim for one sugary drink or fewer per week. Bonus: drinking water cleanses teeth and gums, preventing cavities now while setting the stage for lifelong dental health.
  • Limit ultra-processed foods. It may not be realistic to avoid ultra-processed foods altogether, but try to limit their access and help children and adolescents learn the benefits of eating whole foods like fruits and vegetables. You can also talk with them about the health risks of too much “junk food,” which is generally loaded in sugar and salt, doesn’t increase feelings of fullness, and prompts overeating.
  • Adopt a family media plan. Everyone benefits from sensible screen time limits that make room for healthy activities. Engage kids in creating a plan for the whole family.
  • Move more. It can be challenging to get up and move more, but when you make it a priority, kids benefit. Organized sports aren’t the only option. Your family can also enjoy walking, biking, swimming and dancing. Indoors, you can try active gaming or online fitness classes to strengthen muscles, build coordination and release tension.
  • Manage stress. If your schedule is jammed with so many commitments that there’s no room for healthy downtime, consider what you can let go. Rest rebuilds the body’s systems after the challenges of a tough day or week, so reserve time for it.
  • Lean on support. Not all neighborhoods have safe places for children to play and walk to school, or offer nutritious and affordable food nearby. Additionally, factors like racism, toxic stress, housing or food insecurity and safety risks can impact your child’s health. Creating a safe environment at home, and leaning on the support of schools, health care systems and the wider community can create a healthier life for your child. One important resource is your pediatrician. Talk to the doctor about ways to support an active, healthy lifestyle for your child.

For more tips and resources, visit HealthyChildren.org.

“Remember that feeling loved, seen and appreciated are just as central to your child’s health as nutrition and exercise. The brain and the body are one system — so when kids feel safe and secure, their bodies function well,” says Dr. Muth.

-StatePoint

Published March 13, 2024

Looking to feel better? Consider adding an iron supplement

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(Mariana Rascao/Unsplash)

Anyone looking to dramatically and easily improve their overall health and wellness would be wise to consider adding an iron supplement to their diet.

A common problem
Although few people ever think about their iron intake, assuming eating enough leafy greens or taking a multivitamin will suffice, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional shortfall globally, including in the United States, where it is estimated that 1 in 5 people need more iron to function properly. This holds true across all age ranges and physical conditions, from senior citizens to infants to performance athletes, but most notably this is the case for women of childbearing age.

Why your iron levels matter
Without sufficient iron, the body cannot produce enough hemoglobin — the substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen to tissues and organs, which can impact nearly every system in the body, even leading to death in the cases of extreme anemia. Iron deficiency can also exacerbate many health conditions, especially cardiac, pulmonary and circulatory problems, and it plays a critical role in conditions like restless leg syndrome, ADD/ADHD, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease.

That said, the symptoms of less severe iron deficiency can be harder to pinpoint. They include:

  • Tiredness or lethargy
  • Weakness
  • Irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath
  • Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness
  • Unusual food cravings and appetite changes
  • Appearance issues like thinning hair, pallor, dark circles, or brittle nails
  • Behavioral issues like excitability, inability to focus, or irritability, especially in children
(Angel Sinigersky/Unsplash)

Choose Wisely
Adding an iron supplement is an easy way to address a host of pressing issues, but buyer beware — not all iron supplements are created equal. Even those who know they need iron may not take supplements because they are notoriously bad-tasting and can cause significant gastrointestinal distress, essentially trading one problem for another. The supplement market is also largely unregulated, resulting in many companies producing inferior products or making unsubstantiated claims about the effectiveness of their products.

So how can you find the best supplement for you and your family? The short answer is to ignore the marketing hype and trust medicine. Follow your doctors’ advice and look for an iron supplement that has been clinically proven to be safe, effective and well-tolerated in all age groups.

From enhancing your appearance and providing an immune system boost to giving you the stamina and focus you need to complete tasks with confidence, adding an iron supplement is one of the best ways to improve your overall health and well-being.

Published March 13, 2024

Health News 03/13/2024

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Nick Burgess (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Executive director named
AdventHealth Pasco County Foundations has elevated Nick Burgess to the role of executive director, according to a news release.

Burgess continues to report to Kristen McCall, president of AdventHealth Foundation West Florida. He will be responsible for philanthropy for the Dade City, Zephyrhills and, now, Wesley Chapel hospitals, having previously served only in Dade City and Zephyrhills.

Before joining AdventHealth, Burgess served as director of operations for Bahrs Construction, where he managed more than 150 projects a year.

Burgess has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from the University of South Florida.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, Kassidy, and their two Australian shepherds. He also loves to cook and even competes in barbecue competitions.

Three-year accreditation
TransCare Medical Transportation, a division of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, has received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), through 2026, according to a news release.

CAAS is the “gold standard” for medical transportation within the U.S., and TransCare is one of only 23 ambulance services in the state of Florida to hold this accreditation, the release says.

Accreditation validates that an ambulance service is providing the highest quality care to all patients it transports. CAAS evaluates various aspects of a provider’s operations, including financial management, clinical standards, human resources, communications, equipment, and risk management.

TransCare provides Basic Life Support (BLS) transports and Advanced Life Support (ALS) inter-facility transports throughout Hillsborough County; behavioral health transports to and from all area hospitals and psychiatric facilities; behavioral health transports for Pasco County Public Schools students while on campuses; behavioral health transports from Pasco County medical facilities, non-emergency medical transportation between medical facilities; and stand-by services for special events.

(Courtesy of Ashley Pontius/National Strategies PR)

Auction raises money for ‘the love of all children’
The Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation Seminole Guild hosted a For the Love of All Children Quarter Auction on Feb. 17 and raised over $11,000 for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. More than 200 people attended this year’s event at The Peacock Center in Seminole.

Jazzercise Dade City opens
Jazzercise Inc., announced the opening of its newest fitness center in Dade City, located in the Shepherd of the Hills Church, 37015 Orange Valley Lane. Jazzercise is a dance party workout fitness program. The center offers 16 classes weekly.

To find classes, visit Jazzercise.com, or download the myJazzercise mobile app on iOS or Android.

For more information, visit Jazzercise.com, or call 813-466-9930.

William H. Constantine IV

New assistant chief nursing officer
HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson, has named William H. Constantine IV as its new assistant chief nursing officer, according to a news release.

Constantine will serve as a key member of the hospital’s nursing team responsible for implementing strategic direction for the nursing department, assisting with the management of clinical quality and patient safety, and assisting with the recruitment, training and professional development of the hospital’s growing nursing staff, the release says. The new officer comes on board as the facility continues to add registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other essential staff. This year, the hospital has hired 111 full-time nurses.

Constantine most recently served as the director of Emergency Services at HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he led his department to two consecutive Unit of Distinction awards.

 

New initiative helps make swim safety a priority

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Drowning is a leading cause of death for children, especially for young children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In response to the statistics, AdventHealth Tampa has launched a new swim safety initiative, giving out neon-colored swim safety lanyards and whistles in the pediatric unit and pediatric emergency room, just ahead of Spring Break for most Tampa Bay area kids, according to a news release.

AdventHealth Tampa has begun distributing brightly colored lanyards as part of a new swim safety initiative. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

Dr. Sara Kirby, medical director of the AdventHealth Tampa Pediatric Emergency Department, has led the initiative with the goal to increase swim safety awareness and designate a responsible adult during pool activities.

“Most of the drowning and near-drowning incidents we see in the emergency room are from pools,” said Dr. Kirby in the release. “We often hear a lot of, ‘I thought he was watching’ or ‘I thought she was watching.’ But it’s important to remember that if it’s everyone’s job, it’s no one’s job.”

The neon-colored safety lanyards serve as a physical, visible reminder of who is in charge at the pool, beach or any body of water.

“They will help you know who’s watching the children at any given moment,” the medical director said. “Then, if that person needs a break, they can hand the lanyard off to another adult.”

Dr. Kirby shares these additional tips for swim safety:

Take swimming lessons. From an early age, kids need to understand how to be safe around water. Pools can pose a powerful temptation for young children and it’s crucial they know what to do. Swim lessons can help. Check with the Red Cross, YMCA and other local organizations that may offer swim lessons for all ages.

Never rely on flotation devices (or even life jackets) to save a child. These aids should be viewed as just that — aids. These tools cannot be relied on to save a child from drowning.

Don’t leave children unattended in a body of water. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bathtub or a pool, never walk away while your little one is playing in the water, even for a few moments.

Know what to do in an emergency. If a child slips underwater and stays there for a while, or another water-related emergency occurs, you should know what to do: Call 911 and perform CPR if needed. Even if the child is awake and appears fine, call 911 so a medical provider can make sure they are OK.

These tips can easily apply to not only pools, but oceans, lakes or ponds.

“There’s water just about everywhere in Florida, so anything we can do to raise awareness and education around swim safety, especially heading into the spring and summer seasons, is the goal,” said Kirby.

Published March 13, 2024

Thrive Over 55 Senior Expo coming April 4

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Area seniors who attended last year’s Thrive Over 55 Expo were able to enjoy a free breakfast and lunch, as well as gather a variety of information geared toward their age group. (Courtesy of Adrian Garson)

Local residents over the age of 55 are invited to the third Thrive Over 55 Senior Expo on April 4 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at B&B Theatres Wesley Chapel – The Grove 16, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The Laker/Lutz News will host the free event with more than 40 vendors and hundreds of seniors throughout the morning. Guests will be provided with a free breakfast and lunch, along with an informative morning filled with games and raffles.

Vendors range from medicare providers, home improvement specialists, retirement communities and travel agencies.

The title sponsors are Gulfside Healthcare Services and Vertos Medical, both of which will present a 30-minute breakout session during the expo.

Tickets are free, but are required. To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/thrive55expo.

There also are a few vendor opportunities left. Please email for more information.

Published March 06, 2024

What foot and ankle issues warrant a doctor’s visit?

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Most people have a foot or ankle problem at one time or another. So how do you know when to seek help?

Many symptoms — even those you can tolerate — require the professional attention of a foot and ankle surgeon to keep the underlying condition from worsening. According to Danielle Butto, DPM, FACFAS, a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and a Fellow Member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), “It’s important to remember that foot health is an important part of your overall health. You need to take care of your feet, which includes going to the doctor when you have pain, sustain an injury or develop a condition needing professional evaluation and treatment.”

(c) natalie_board/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Here are five examples of when you should make an appointment with your foot and ankle surgeon:

  • When you have diabetes: Living with diabetes means being more prone to a variety of conditions that affect the feet, including foot sores and ulcers. At the same time, diabetic nerve damage makes it harder to detect when there’s a problem. Regular visits to a foot and ankle surgeon should be part of your holistic diabetes treatment plan. The doctor can screen for the loss of protective sensations in the feet, as well as diagnose and treat any structural issues leading to ulcers and wounds. Swelling, temperature and color changes in the feet, and calluses, are all telltale signs an ulcer may be around the corner and warrant a trip to a foot and ankle surgeon.
  • When children experience pain: When it comes to pediatric foot problems, early intervention is key to long-term successful treatment. As a parent, you may find distinguishing between growing pains and injuries or deformities difficult. But foot and ankle surgeons stress that pain isn’t normal, and if it lasts more than a few days or is severe enough to limit your child’s walking, it should be evaluated. Foot problems commonly experienced by children include flat feet, ingrown toenails, calcaneal apophysitis and plantar warts.
  • When you’re at risk for falling: Falls have become the leading cause of injury deaths among Americans 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the reasons falls occur are numerous, painful foot conditions are a contributing factor, as they make it difficult to maintain balance and coordination. Fortunately, many such conditions are treatable. See a foot and ankle surgeon to alleviate pain and reduce your risk of a life-changing fall.
  • When you can benefit from medical advances: A loss of cartilage once meant a loss of functionality. Today, joint reconstruction surgery with cartilage regeneration offers real hope for long-term functionality, nurturing the body’s own ability to heal itself — with a little boost from technology and a knowledgeable surgeon. Likewise, new surgical techniques for ankle arthritis, including arthroscopic ankle surgery, total ankle joint replacements and bone or cartilage replacement, are helping people stay active. Finally, platelet-rich plasma therapy can promote the healing of bones, cartilage, blood vessels, tendons and tissue for many patients, and is associated with easier recovery than traditional treatments. If you suffer from a foot and ankle ailment, ask your health care provider about game-changing medical advances.
    • When pain is sidelining you: It’s important for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to rest and recover rather than push through foot and ankle pain caused by an overuse injury. If the pain doesn’t improve in three to seven days, however, it’s time to see a foot and ankle surgeon for evaluation and treatment.

With the highest level of education, training and board certification, foot and ankle surgeons are the leaders in surgical and nonsurgical foot and ankle care.

For more information, or to find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the patient education website of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

-StatePoint

Published March 06, 2024